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Scouting ambassador Steve Backshall flies into Primrose Hill

SCOUTING ambassador Steve Backshall dropped into North Lincolnshire by helicopter for a flying visit to meet hundreds of young Scouts, Cubs, Beavers and Guides.

Adventurer-naturalist Backshall and former Scottish International rugby union star Thom Evans landed at Primrose Hill Scout Campsite to join the youngsters plus their leaders and helpers for PrimJam II, the district’s premier activity camp.

The visit was a complete surprise to the youngsters, who had been kept in the dark by event organisers.

Scouting was founded in 1907, but 2016 marks the 100th anniversary of the Cubs section which now caters for boys and girls aged eight to ten-and-a-half.

Steve’s mission is to help increase numbers of Cub Scouts currently even further, to celebrate and thank all the adult volunteer leaders and be as visible as possible in their local communities.

Steve said:

“Like me, Cub Scouts love adventure and the outdoors. That’s why I’m so excited to be the Ambassador for Cubs100, the 2016 centenary of Cubs. With thousands of adventure camps, parties and other activities taking place right across the UK, we’re calling it The Wildest Birthday Ever.

“Today 150,000 girls and boys are enjoying the fun and friendship of Cubs. They’re learning new skills, trying new things and having the best possible start in life. If you were a Cub, why not come back and give us a little of your time as a volunteer? You’ll have incredible fun and help inspire a new generation. If you’re aged 8-10½ come join the adventure. Happy Birthday Cubs!”

“Cubs100” aims to provide 150,000 Cub Scouts with the opportunity to get involved with the Widest Birthday Ever! experience, allowing them to create new friendships and memories throughout the year. Importantly, The Scout Association hopes that “Cubs100” will help to increase the number of adult volunteers by raising the profile and understanding of the impact of Cub Scouts today, including how the Movement helps to build and develop a young person’s character, resilience, leadership and responsibility.

Cub Scouts have also been getting involved in the “A Million Hands” Campaign. This initiative is enlisting half a million Scouts to volunteer for some of the UK’s biggest charities and to learn more about the causes they support. The issues Scouts are taking action on includes, improving the lives of those affected by dementia, improving the lives of those disabled by society, improving the mental wellbeing and resilience of families and ensuring everyone everywhere has access to clean water and sanitation.

Angela Bradley, District Commissioner for North Lincolnshire, said:

“We were over-the-moon Steve and Thom were able to take time during their busy schedule to visit us all here in North Lincolnshire.

“The helicopter landing and celebrity visit was just as exciting for the adults as well as all the young people camping at Primrose Hill this weekend.

“They were able to see first-hand the great efforts in North Lincolnshire to provide opportunities for young people they would not normally experience.”

Scouting is the largest co-educational youth movement in the country – and in North Lincolnshire it is going from strength to strength.

Fourteen groups across the North Lincolnshire district provide fun and adventure for more than 700 young people aged between six and 18 across the four sections of Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Explorers.

They are led by 150 volunteer leaders and helpers who provide a balanced programme with emphasis on the outdoors and adventure designed to help young people fulfil their true potentials in life.

Angela said: “Scouting is open to boys and girls and is a great way for them to make friends and have fun whilst trying new things and earning badges.

“Scouting is also value for money; being a charity and using volunteers to lead activities means we can keep membership costs

down, in this credit crunch that’s a real bonus for families.

“Scouting is also fantastic for adults who like adventure and want to do something worthwhile. We are always looking for adults who can spare some time to support the Scout Leaders to provide fun, challenging and exciting activities for the young people.”

Young people involved in Scouting come from varying backgrounds as do their leaders. Everyone is welcome as the movement is inclusive in its membership.

Adventurer and TV personality Bear Grylls was last year appointed UK Chief Scout for a further three years and has done great things to promote Scouting in the UK and internationally.

“At grass-roots level in North Lincolnshire we want to see our numbers grow, not just within the four sections, but in our leadership core as well,” Angela said.

“You don’t have to be a Bear Grylls, but a love of the outdoors does help; we’re looking for adults with enthusiasm to help deliver our vision towards 2018 that young people across all ages will have the chance to have their voice heard on all aspects of Scouting, including programme and activity planning and the way their Group is run,” she added.

QUOTES

Lauren (9), 6th Scunthorpe

The best thing about PrimJam has been the tight rope where I said my law and promise while walking on the tight rope and then in the other direction I told a funny joke.

Cubs is great because we play lots of games which are fun and make loads of new friends. The other week we learned how to tie knots and then created a version of the Humber Bridge out of sticks and string it was amazing.

Ethan, 6th Scunthorpe

The pillow fight was started on Friday night but it was too late and too noisy so we are holding it tonight. We have a lot of planning and preparation for it but it will be really good fun and we have some snacks to keep us going as well.

Ryan Williams (11), 1st Kirton

Scouts is brilliant because we do lots of hikes and we also make fires. In the evenings we do fun things and today has been cool because there has been so many activities and I also got to see the helicopter land and meet Steve Backshall. 

Trevor Zimmerman, GSL 31st Scunthorpe (Winterton)

Being a volunteer for this special weekend at PrimJam enables me to see enjoyment for all the young people. Without all of us volunteering here they would not have the opportunities and learn the skills that they are getting this weekend. I find that at times I'm challenging myself so that I can also challenge the young people to experience the fun challenge and adventurous activities that Scouts has to offer.

It's amazing and enlightening to see the Cubs and Scouts develop as they grow older and learn more life skills on their own personal journey.

Lee Twigger, ESL 4th Ashby

I am an Explorer leader and with my training permit that I have gained recently I can help the young people in their adventurous activities of climbing. It's really good for my progress and equally good for the young people to experience these new challenges. I love giving the Cubs and Scouts the opportunity for them to get into new activities.